President Tinubu Departs Paris for Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his working vacation in France and departed Paris for Nigeria, with his aircraft expected to arrive at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos later on Tuesday.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ended his working vacation and has already departed Paris, France, for the homeward journey to Nigeria.” It added that “President Tinubu’s aircraft is expected to touch down at Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, later this evening.”

The statement said the President chose to return through Lagos to honour the memory of Chief MKO Abiola, whom it described as “the martyr of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.” It added that, “On Independence Day, the President will attend the premiere of a movie honouring Abiola, the winner of the June 1993 election, at the Wole Soyinka National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.”

According to the Presidency, Tinubu will also use his time in Lagos for political engagements, stating, “While in Lagos, President Tinubu will also hold strategic meetings with political leaders and associates over several days in preparation for the 2027 elections.”

Tinubu departed Abuja on August 30 for the working vacation and spent one week in London before proceeding to Paris. While in the French capital, “he attended a private dinner with President Emmanuel Macron” and “also met with business leaders, including Mr Vincent Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, whose media and digital interests include Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music Group.”

The statement further disclosed that, “On Monday, he also met with the Chairman of First Holdings, Femi Otedola.” It also recalled that Tinubu witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ogun State Government and DP World to develop a Gateway deep seaport in Ogun Waterside and establish a Blue Marine Economic Zone.

According to the Presidency, “DP World, one of the world’s leading ports and logistics operators, plans to invest $7 billion for the seaport and the economic zone.” It added that “President Tinubu will return to Abuja after his political engagements in Lagos.”